Buildings in downtown Rochester are reportedly being sold for millions of dollars, some more than twice their estimated value, likely a result of the $6 billion Destination Medical Center project that is just getting underway. DMC isn’t just about real estate speculation, though, as new hotels, senior housing units and office buildings are already going up in Rochester in anticipation of the growth the project will bring.

Buildings in downtown Rochester are reportedly being sold for millions of dollars, some more than twice their estimated value, likely a result of the $6 billion Destination Medical Center project that is just getting underway. DMC isn’t just about real estate speculation, though, as new hotels, senior housing units and office buildings are already going up in Rochester in anticipation of the growth the project will bring.

Former Tri-County Record publisher Myron Schober’s obituary noted that when he returned to the Midwest, a region he valued for its high value on truth, honesty and justice, after serving in the military, he had a goal: “My life plan is simple — be good and do good...it’s in the execution that the details get sticky.”

Politicians give us all sorts of things to fear: Ebola, illegal immigrants, terrorists, extremists in the other party that jeopardize our lives and the list could go on. Yet, the scariest things are the ones we don’t see coming at us.

The candidates taking part in a forum in Spring Valley last week — the only public forum in Fillmore County this election cycle — tended to agree on most issues raised, with only subtle differences in opinion. Since the questions came from the public, it would indicate there are no burning issues that are separating citizens, or candidates, in the county. For those divisions you have to get more local to items, such as the referendum in the Rushford-Peterson school district or the actions of the Wykoff City Council regarding its previous mayor.

Once again, many of our athletic teams are having outstanding years. Although it is too early to determine if any of them will make a run to the state tournament, several programs are creating a lot of excitement in the communities throughout our area.

It’s always interesting which columns generate conversation, at least conversation that makes it back to my ears. The feedback from last week’s column on the responsibility of the press was surprising.

I’ve been in frequent conversations with our Minnesota Newspaper Association attorney over the past few months. He’s a nice guy and I always enjoy talking to him, but the multiple conversations aren’t social calls; they have been necessary due to the passion of our contributors to our opinion page.

Factory closings or job transfers, such as what is happening with Rochester Medical in Stewartville, which is losing at least 60 jobs to Mexico in 2015, always make an impact. The grim news makes headlines and gets people talking about the decisions that have quite an effect on the local economy.

A local couple “eloped” last month. One was 83 and the other 89 years old. They didn’t submit a wedding announcement to our newspaper, so all the details aren’t available, but the event is of quite a bit of interest in the community.

A friend of mine from Rochester questioned me the other day about the Fillmore County Relay for Life after reading about the event, asking how it was possible that this worthy cause raised more than $136,000. After all, Fillmore County doesn’t have a lot of population — there are just over 8,000 households — and it doesn’t have a lot of wealth — the median household income is well below the average in Minnesota.

As my wife and I were taking shelter in the concourse at Target Field Monday, July 14, a man with damp clothes said, “The Metrodome wasn’t so bad now was it?” His comment made me pause, but didn’t change my mind that Target Field is far superior to the indoor multi-use stadium that has now been torn down.